Andrew Jackson is credited with saying one man with courage makes a majority. When it comes to standing up for the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the special counsel’s Russia investigation, one Republican is standing up — but he needs a second Republican to join him.

Retiring Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake has said he will oppose all judicial nominees in committee or pending floor consideration until the Robert Mueller protection bill is brought to the floor for a vote.

But Flake can’t succeed by himself. He needs just one other Republican senator to join him. Sen. Cory Gardner should be that someone.

I clerked on the Colorado Supreme Court and served as a special assistant attorney general representing the state of Colorado in criminal appeals. I know how important it is that the justice system be trusted as fair and impartial. That’s why the special counsel exists — to remove any perception of partisanship from sensitive, vital investigations that touch those in power. Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation fits that bill — the Justice Department is investigating a serious national security threat posed by Russia’s attacks on U.S. elections, aided by the Kremlin and possibly American accomplices.

President Donald Trump has said through his press secretary that he believes he has the power to fire the special counsel, presumably for any reason or no reason at all. He has installed a loyalist to oversee Mueller’s investigation. Matthew Whitaker has already said publicly how he might undermine the special counsel.

Waiting until the threat against Mueller is even more dire is not an option — by then, it will be too late for the Senate to act. Even the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley, supports acting now by passing the bipartisan bill to protect a special counsel.

Sen. Gardner should take this opportunity to stand for principle and the rule of law. This legislation, authored by Sen. Lindsey Graham and co-sponsored by Sen. Thom Tillis, would protect any special counsel — not just Mueller. Gardner previously agreed the special counsel’s investigation should continue, saying, “It’s important for the American people. It’s important that we have this for transparency and I think it’s important for the president to have this information out there fully, transparently, and accurately.” There can be no logical reason the senator would not take the simple step of supporting the bipartisan bill and joining with Flake to demand a vote.

Mueller is a respected Republican who served in the Reagan and Bush Justice Department and was tapped by President George W. Bush to lead the FBI through 9/11. He’s twice been confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. The president has repeatedly threatened the investigation. Rudy Giuliani argued Mueller’s report may never be allowed to become public. The president even forced out Attorney General Jeff Sessions because he was unwilling to shut it down. If Gardner was waiting for a crisis moment to act, it has arrived.

Special Counsel Mueller is following the facts and has already uncovered significant crimes. As a result, several members of President Trump’s inner circle have pleaded guilty, including his campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, National Security Advisor, and personal lawyer. Mueller must be allowed to continue his investigation without political interference because Americans have a right to the truth about the Kremlin’s attacks.

The U.S. Constitution defines the role Congress should exercise to protect Mueller’s legitimate law enforcement investigation. Congress should establish the special counsel’s independence by protecting its budget, staffing, and prosecutorial decisions from interference and ensuring the outcome of the investigation is shared with the American people.

Congress should start with the bipartisan bill championed by Sen. Jeff Flake. Gardner has the opportunity to stand for the rule of law by supporting this bill and joining with Flake to demand a vote. He should seize it, and Colorado should expect nothing less.

Patrick Meyers is Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Chief of Staff.

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